Solid Contender: 1939 Chevrolet Business Coupe
The new owner of this 1939 Chevrolet Business Coupe is going to face some interesting choices. It could easily serve as a restoration project. Or just as easily, it could make a cool custom or street rod. With its awesome weathered appearance, it could also make a great basis for a rat rod. If your imagination is running rampant and you want to take this car on as a project, it is located in Belleville, Illinois, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
The car has spent the majority of its life in New Mexico, and it was kept in a garage for virtually the whole time. That hasn’t stopped it developing a healthy coating of surface corrosion. The owner states that the car is solid, with no rot present anywhere in the vehicle. The body is essentially complete, with all panels, the bumpers, and all of the glass present. There may be a few minor trim pieces missing, but it is a bit hard to be sure.
Apart from the really attractive dash and the pedals, there is no interior trim present at all. The dash does appear to be complete, and would only require some pretty minor restoration to get it into shape. How the rest of the interior trim would be tackled would very much depend on the path that the new owner decided to follow with the car. Likewise, it appears that there is no engine, transmission, or steering column present, so that also opens up some possibilities for the next owner to pursue things their own way.
I hate to use the term “blank canvas,” but that is what this Business Coupe is. This is a vehicle that would potentially look really good, regardless of which pathway the new owner took. To me, it really screams out to be the basis for a rat rod project. The owner has set a BIN price of $3,900 for the Coupe, but the option is there to make an offer. If you had this car in your workshop, what would you do with it?
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Comments
Well it’s guite the basket case isn’t it. I would do a restomod with a 60’s 250 CID engine inline six with a matching three on the tree. out of a donor pickup. Disc brakes and two stage masterclyinder. You could also use the the streering column out of your donor truck. I’d paint it bright red with black fenders. Also steel rims with dog dish hubcaps. This I a big project so your going to need a sock full of money to bring this back even if your doing your own work. It would make a good project though.
Mostly, I agree. But, I would paint it maroon with black fenders, or all black or all maroon… maybe cobalt blue with a white top. But, it definitely will take time and money. Would it have power steering? Yes. A/C? If it will fit. (I like my creature comforts. All new suspension and power train. Front discs. Absolutely worth the time and money.
These were a nice looking car, even in original livery. I would agree with Mark to the point of resto-modding it. These engine bays were designed for a six but I’ve seen several with SBCs. And yes, since it’s a Chevy I wouldn’t have a problem installing an SBC in this one. But I would source out a 283 or possibly a 327. Too many 350s around, and I don’t care to be painted with the same brush…
A friend of mine from years past had a ’41 Chevy with a 265 in it. Really tight quarters. Dark green.
What!!?? When I think small blocks I think 350’s. You mean they made others!
How about a 307?
YUP!!…. 327, 307, 305, 283, 265. Readers, did I leave any out?
262 , Monza V8
267 , Monte Carlo , Chevelles , V8 ETC
400 , Impala, Caprice ETC
How ’bout a 270 cube GMC 6-cylinder and a 4-speed tranny? Add a Clifford
2-carb manifold and dual pipes, and
she’ll scoot down the road as if there
were a V-8 under the hood. If this car
has a beam front axle and cart springs,
drop front axle 2 to 21/2 inches that
will put the car on a slight rake. A
modern master cylinder with disc brakes
up front will go far when it comes to
making this car stop safely on today’s
roads. Restore the rest of the car and
you’ll have an enjoyable daily driver.
Make mine Maroon with a cream
leather interior along with steel rims
and dogdish hubcaps. Now that’s
my idea of a nice early hot rod.
If you’re talking 6 cylinder why not go for a GMC 302 or a later
292 Chevy, there ain’t no replacement for DISPLACEMENT !!!
I bought a ’39 Chevy sedan delivery when I was 16 years old. Since then I have stored it in half a dozen different barns. I’ve gathered parts now for 47 years, should soon have enough parts to complete, lol. 39 Chevy sedan delivery rear fenders are common only to delivery’s and the even rarer flat back sedans. I found one NOS rear at Hershey in 1992 and an almost perfect matching one in a local junkyard about 10 years ago. This one’s getting a 270 GMC, Camaro WC 5 SPD and the ’62 Chevy positraction rear that was in it when I bought it. Dropped front axle with disc brakes and hopefully a pretty original interior. All it takes now is retirement and a few (hundred) enjoyable hours
427 that is quite a story. I do not know anyone that bought a project at 16 and 47 years later still have the passion to actually want the same dream. Good luck to you man! I truly hope you get this completed someday.
Hi 427. I didn’t know that there was someone with the same drive as I do. But I bought my ’47 Ford pickup 52 years ago and am finally going to have the time to actually get it back together and on the road. It’s amazing how many roadblocks you encounter in life that prevent you from achieving your goal. Here’s hoping that our health endures and we can no only complete our projects but have some time left so we can thoroughly enjoy them…
@427, like your taste in early Chevy’s! That will be one fine sedan delivery when complete. I had a chance to buy a ’40 Chevy SD “creamery delivery” in about ’92 in NW Nebraska, I was late to go out to see/buy it so my cousin bought it and stored it in a barn, sadly he passed in 2004 and I am not sure but believe his wife still owns it. My younger brother bought a ’64 Chevy Carryall in HS at 17, he is 63 now and still drives it. He also has a ’39 GMC P/U he bought in ’75, about the condition of you’re SD.
I have a 261 laying around that would be my choice, with a 4 spd. Looks like it would be a nice place to put it if I didn’t already have too many projects.